Martin’s 75 years as a member of Milton is an amazing record

Golf - Longthorpe man’s loyalty and devotion to one club

Not even National Service, raising a family or running a successful business could keep Martin Bains away from his beloved Milton Golf Club.

And his loyalty and devotion to the club is such Martin has now completed an astonishing 75 years as a Milton member.

He’s believed to be the first member to reach three quarters of a century of membership of a club that was established on the outskirts of Peterborough in 1938.

In fact Martin, who is now 87, would have joined even sooner if club regulations had allowed it.

“I used to join my parents for a round when the club first opened,” Martin recalled.

“But you weren’t allowed to join the club officially until you were 12 so I had to bide my time.

“I joined in 1945 and have kept up my membership ever since. I’ve never thought of letting it lapse or of joining another club. I live in Longthorpe so it’s my local club and it’s a very pretty course so why would I play anywhere else?

“There were times when I didn’t play as much. I did my National Service between 1951 and 1953, but still found time for a game and I ran an off-licence business which took up plenty of my time, but I always found room for a round of golf.

“In fact the longest I’ve ever gone without playing was the recent lockdown which kept me off the course for three months. That was a very frustrating time, but we had to stay safe.

“Up until then I was still managing to play 18 holes, but I’m currently playing nine holes, twice a week, on a Monday and a Friday.

“I just love the sport and I love the course.

“My father was into tennis and cricket before golf, but I’m grateful he introduced me to golf. I‘ve made some great friends over the years.

“Obviously I’ve seen a few changes with the equipment and the balls we use, the game is basically the same with accuracy most important.

“I could tell plenty of stories about the old days, but I don’t want to be seen as a golf bore. There are plenty of them about already.”

Martin Bains before his Monday morning round this week